Some suspected kidnap gang members have claimed that they bought their 'okrika' military uniform for N15,000.

File photo

According to Punch Metro, suspected kidnap gang members arrested in connection with the abduction of three Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, students have said they bought the military uniform used during the operation for N15,000 from Second-hand clothes traders, popularly known as Okrika sellers.

The men, who were among the 58 suspects paraded by the police in Abuja on Wednesday, said they were also responsible for the abduction of a House of Representatives member from Sokoto State.

They also admitted that they were paid N5.5m for the release of the students who were abducted while travelling to Abuja from Kaduna.

A gang arrested in connection with the abduction of some Turkish nationals in Kwara State were also paraded.

A gang member, Kabiru Abdullahi stated, “The others lied to me that they were paid N6m, whereas they received a N10m ransom. I was given only N450,000 from the operation, but the money was recovered by the police after they arrested us.”

Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said eight of the suspects were responsible for the kidnap of a Kaduna lawmaker, Suleiman Dabo, adding that the gang confessed to have received N10m in ransom before releasing their victim.

Items recovered from them included 18 AK-47 rifles, 1,233 rounds of Ak47 ammunition, nine pump action rifles, five single barrel rifles, one automatic pistol, one hand grenade, 53 live cartridges and several stolen vehicles.